Barcelona sack Xavi in final twist to managerial saga

Barcelona have announced head coach Xavi will leave his position at the end of the season.

The news comes a month after the Barca boss had reversed a decision to step down this summer after two and a half years in charge.

A club statement on Friday confirmed president Joan Laporta had told Xavi that his final game will be against Sevilla on Sunday.

A club statement said: "The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, announced this afternoon to Xavi Hernandez that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season.

"FC Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, as well as his unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world.

"Xavi Hernandez will lead his last game as first team coach this Sunday in Seville.

"In the coming days, FC Barcelona will inform about the new structure of the first team."

Earlier on Friday, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli revealed he will leave the Italian club at the end of the season after five years in charge.

The 58-year-old was appointed in 2019 and three years later led the team to a first Serie A title since 2011. But they have failed mount a serious challenge in the two campaigns since and, despite being set to finish runners-up, they are 19 points behind champions and bitter rivals Inter ahead of their final game.

As defending champions last season they came fourth, 20 points adrift of Napoli but the former Fiorentina coach masterminded a worthy Champions League campaign, guiding the Rossoneri to the semi-final where they were defeated 3-0 on aggregate by their city rivals.

This season they were eliminated in the group stage after finishing behind Paris St Germain and eventual finalists Borussia Dortmund, dropping